Football Weekly – Premier League Season Preview: Leeds to Wolves

Date: August 14, 2025
Host: Max Rushden
Panel: Barry Glendenning, Jonathan Wilson, John Bruin (“A” = Max, “B” = John, “C” = Jonathan, “D” = Barry)

Overview

This episode of Football Weekly is part two of the Premier League 2025–26 season preview, covering the clubs from Leeds to Wolves. Host Max Rushden is joined by regulars Barry Glendenning, Jonathan Wilson, and John Bruin for a colourful, sharp, at-times-chaotic panel discussion of every club’s prospects. They debate transfers, tactics, managers, expectations, and deliver their tongue-in-cheek predictions – with the usual quota of banter, regional pride, and all-out pessimism.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Leeds United: Survival, Style, and Familiar Problems

Timestamps: 02:15–08:11

• Opening fixtures: Home to Everton, tough early away games (Arsenal, Newcastle).
• Squad turnover: New faces mostly unknown to the panel, highlighting a sense of unpredictability.
• Manager scrutiny: Daniel Farke – “good Championship manager” but significant doubts over whether he’s up to securing Premier League stability (B, 02:56).
• Style of play: More attack-minded and confident in the Championship, but fears this might leave them exposed at the Premier League level (C, 04:04).
• Key signings mentioned:
  • Anton Stach (Hoffenheim) – Defence-minded player with a “good reputation”.
  • Sean Longstaff (from Newcastle) – Mixed feelings about his age and impact.
  • Lucas Perry (goalkeeper) – Potential upgrade but yet to be tested at this level.
• “Leeds diaspora”: The club’s unique national and international fanbase is noted on air for its loyalty and regional pride (B, 02:41).
• Player to watch: Japanese midfielder Tanaka singled out as a fan favourite, even endorsed by Declan Rice (B, 06:47).
• Predictions:
  • John: 17th (just survive)
  • Barry: 18th
  • Jonathan: 17th
  • Max: “Trying to keep Leeds and Sunderland up” – 15th

Notable quote:
“Daniel Farke is a good manager. He’s a great manager in the Championship. We know that. If Leeds struggle early doors…Farke is going to be a manager under pressure from the very start. He knows that, he knows the game, and he’ll accept the challenge. I’d like to see him do well.” — John Bruin [02:56]

Liverpool: Big-Name Recruits, Shape-Shifting, and Early Questions

Timestamps: 08:11–13:14

• Major signings: Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Minos Kerkes, Jeremy Frimpong (possible: Alexander Isak).
• Key losses: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota (tragically), among others.
• Tactical shift:
  • Moving from a 4-3-3/4-2-3-1 hybrid to a full 4-2-3-1.
  • Places new pressure on midfielders and demands new connections, especially for Mohamed Salah (C, 08:47).
• Community Shield as warning:
  • Wilson noticed teething problems: Salah isolated, Frimpong’s different style at full-back, and issues moving the ball upfield without Alexander-Arnold.
  • Panel expects new manager Arne Slot to fix problems, though small margins might settle title race.
• Enthusiasm for Wirtz:
  • “Not a Rolls Royce of a player, he’s a Mercedes S-Class…He is, he’s a brilliant player!” (B, 11:40)
• Central defence worries:
  • Panel sees a major risk if either Van Dijk or Konate is injured; lack of depth could undermine a title push.
• Predictions: Barry tips them for the title (13:14); rest have them in the top-three mix.

Notable quote:
"There's not really anybody there to do that [Alexander-Arnold’s passes]. Now Frimpong is a totally different type…that should suit Salah…but Salah was left very isolated. So I don’t think it’s a massive issue but it is an issue that needs fixing…" — Jonathan Wilson [09:54]

Manchester City: Rebuilding, Pep’s Energy, and Transfer Strategy

Timestamps: 13:14–21:05

• Key ins: Rinders (AC Milan), Ryan Aït Nouri (Wolves), Ryan Cherki (Lyon), James Trafford (Burnley), Sver Nei Pahen (Rosenborg).
• Departures: Kevin De Bruyne, Kyle Walker.
• New era under Guardiola?
  • Third iteration of his City project, big question over Pep’s motivation and how he manages a wave of new signings.
  • Rodri’s fitness and form called “crucial.”
  • Panel muses on Guardiola’s public Interviews—does his talk of holidays and burnout suggest reduced drive? (C, 14:56)
• Transfer policy shift: City are buying less ready-made players and more ‘prospects’—a change from their proven model. Some concern over their hit-rate cooling off (C, 21:21).
• Aït Nouri as a wildcard: Unclear if he fits the Guardiola model or will be quickly discarded.
• Predictions:
  • Max: “I think they will win the title.”
  • Wilson: For City, “if Rodri is at his best, no reason they shouldn’t win.”
  • Barry: Sees a season of challenge, but wonders if they slip further.
• Humour: Extended banter on Pep at the Oasis gig, and “being more like Bournemouth” as a possible tactical revolution.

Notable quote:
“It may be that does sort of give him this sort of renewed sense of purpose. But he’s been a manager at the top level for 16 out of the last 17 years, and that is a long time to be at the very top.” — Jonathan Wilson [16:22]

Manchester United: Big Spending, Uncertainty, and The Monorail Man

Timestamps: 21:57–31:19

• Major signings: Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Sesko (in negotiation for Baleba).
• Departures: Rashford, Eriksen.
• Manager focus: Ruben Amorim, after a messy season, given money “gone for broke.”
• Squad overhaul's risks:
  • “They’ve just gone for it. But it’s showbiz, it’s Manchester United. It can be both [entertaining and a black comedy].” (B, 24:30)
  • Concerns about whether new signings are actually “top, top” players or just attack-minded fun hires.
• Amorim’s mood: Bruin notes, “He looks about 15 years older than when he took that job” already [25:00].
• Panel doubts:
  • Wilson skeptical: new players have risks, United have learned little from past missteps with expensive signings.
  • Key outgoing and discipline issues unresolved; bloated squad with hard-to-sell big earners (Sancho, Antony, etc.).
• Expectation management: Panel predicts finish from 5th to 8th; lack of Europe is both blessing and sign of the times.

Notable quote:
“He could be the equivalent of the monorail guy in the Simpsons…He has built a monorail in Lisbon!” — Barry Glendenning and Jonathan Wilson [26:24]

Newcastle United: From Optimism to Soap Opera

Timestamps: 32:09–39:13

• Transfer “meltdown”: Isak wants out, club struggling to attract new players—reversal from optimism at end of last season.
• Key ins/outs: Anthony Elanga, Aaron Ramsdale in; Longstaff, Callum Wilson, Lloyd Kelly out.
• Ownership “priority” falling: Panel speculates Saudi PIF have moved Newcastle down their sports investment list; messy behind-the-scenes recruitment.
• Mood issues: Loss of Amanda Staveley’s influence, instability at boardroom level.
• Expectation drops: From expected title challengers to likely top-half at best.
• Humour/bite:
  • John: “It’s almost like you can't talk about the football with them because it's like this soap opera has taken a different direction.” (B, 32:55)
  • Barry finds the Isak saga “hilarious” and wonders if there’s a “footballer WhatsApp group” warning others off.

Notable quote:
“Newcastle…it’s like this soap opera has taken a different direction. It’s the realisation that maybe the Saudi ownership wasn’t the golden ticket…” — John Bruin [32:55]

Nottingham Forest: Overachievers Facing a Crunch

Timestamps: 39:13–41:52

• Key ins: Dan Ndoye (Bologna), Igor Jesus (Botafogo), Ajay Acuna (CB, Botafogo).
• Key outs: Elanga (to Newcastle), Danilo, others.
• Squad volatility:
  • Massive overperformance last year, but squad faces depth and motivation issues—particularly Morgan Gibbs White’s uncertain commitment (D, 39:58).
• Impact of Europe: Panel expects European competition to further strain the squad.
• Elanga’s exit: Seen as a significant loss; doubts if Chris Wood can replicate his haul.
• Predictions: Lower mid-table, not relegated but dropped off.

Notable quote:
"Chris Wood had the season of his life last season. He may well get 10 or 12 or 15 this season, but it’s not going to be as good as last season." — Jonathan Wilson [40:52]

Sunderland: Hope Returns to Wearside

Timestamps: 46:32–51:18

• Promotion story: Dramatic playoff winners.
• Transfer activity: More signings than panel “can believe” – including Granit Xhaka, Simon Adingra, focus on physicality.
• Manager praise: New coach Regis Le Bris inspires hope through flexibility and intelligence (D, 49:03).
• Survival chances: Decent opening fixtures could help; panel hopeful but not deluded, targeting survival is the main aim.
• League table simulation trivia: Sunderland were the only PL team the Opta “supercomputer” never saw win the league in pre-season sims.
• Predictions:
  • Wilson: 17th (just safe)
  • Barry: 15th
  • John: bottom (20th)

Notable quote:
"If even a third of them work out, that would still be really good. I think the signing of Granit Xhaka could be an absolute inspirational one." — Barry Glendenning [49:03]

Spurs: Pragmatism and an Unforgiving Fanbase

Timestamps: 51:42–56:09

• Key ins: Mohammed Kudus, Kevin Danso (perm), Luka Vuskovic, Joao Palhinha.
• Key outs: Son Heung-min, Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, James Maddison injured.
• Manager:
  • Thomas Frank, seen as “pragmatic” and innovative, but faces fans skeptical about Brentford-to-Spurs credibility.
  • Panel expects improvement at set pieces, defensive solidity.
• Caveats: Frank starts slowly; danger section of fans could turn quickly if results lag.
• Prediction: Consensus is that Spurs will be “absolutely fine,” likely top seven.

Notable quote:
"Thomas Frank will actually concentrate on set pieces and not dismiss them as some mere frippery as dear old Ange did." — John Bruin [55:10]

West Ham: Miserable Summer, Minimal Inspiration

Timestamps: 56:09–59:31

• Key ins: Jean-Clair Todibo, El Hadjiouf (not that one), Kyle Walker-Peters, Callum Wilson.
• Key outs: Kudus, Zouma, Ings, Antonio, Fabianski.
• Panel verdict: Signings not inspiring, managerial change (Graham Potter) has yet to have obvious impact; transfer leadership chaotic.
• Fans' mood: Flat, expectations lowered.
• Predictions: Multiple panelists have them relegated or close to relegation.

Notable quote:
"There is disquiet among the fans. Maybe West Ham fans wouldn't have it any other way. But you do fear for them." — John Bruin [57:31]

Wolves: Managerial Magic Needed Again

Timestamps: 59:35–61:31

• New signings: Jorgen Strand Larsen, Fair Lopez, John Arias, David Moller Wolfe.
• Departures: Cunha, Rayan Aït Nouri, Guedes.
• Vitor Pereira effect: Marked points boost last season; panel credits his charisma but questions if it is sustainable.
• Squad quality: Midfield rated as “brilliant,” but dropping points possible if regression sets in.
• Predictions: Most tip mid-table, Max predicts relegation.

Notable quote:
"Fair Lopez that they brought in. Quote from Vitor Pereira: 'He has the magic we need,' so let’s watch out for him." — Barry Glendenning [61:09]

Memorable Moments & Humour

• Whit and banter throughout, including quick-fire apologies to the clubs always squeezed for time (West Ham, Wolves).
• Peak panel energy: Quibble over who knows less about Leeds and ageist gags at Sean Longstaff’s expense.
• “Monorail guy” allusion for Ruben Amorim’s risk of flop (26:24).
• Igor trivia wars: Brief, frantic rundown of every Igor in the Premier League’s history [42:43–43:07].
• Leeds and Sunderland: Both get votes of both regional affection and gentle disdain.
• Panelist pessimism: As usual, many teams given near-eulogies – and yet several tip their own clubs to survive against the odds.

Notable Quotes

• On Liverpool’s new look:
  “Van Dijk kept getting dragged forward to where Gravenberch should be. That was all quite predictable. But I hadn't appreciated the issue they’d have getting the ball to Salah…There's not really anybody there to do it now.” — Jonathan Wilson [09:54]

• On new United signings:
  “They’ve gone for lots of players who just shoot from anywhere. It’s showbiz, it’s Manchester United. Let’s bring back United as an entertainment franchise rather than, you know, a black comedy.” — John Bruin [24:30]

• On Newcastle’s troubles:
  "It's like this soap opera has taken a different direction...it's the realization that maybe the Saudi ownership wasn't the golden ticket." — John Bruin [32:55]

• On Pep’s motivation:
  "If you're embarking on quite a big job of rebuilding...and you're already thinking of a holiday you can have when you've finished, that doesn't sound like someone who's got bags of energy." — Jonathan Wilson [15:08]

Predictions Summary

Titles & Top 7s:

• Tipped for the title: Liverpool (Barry), Man City (Max), Chelsea (Jonathan, bold call).
• Common top seven picks: City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Spurs, Villa, United.

Relegation hot picks:

• Sunderland, Leeds, Burnley, West Ham, Wolves variously mentioned—few outright panel consensus.

Timestamps of Key Segments

• 02:15 – Leeds dawn in the PL; can they survive?
• 08:11 – Liverpool shape-shifting; recruitment, Salah’s conundrum
• 13:14 – City’s rebuild; Pep’s state of mind; transfer pivots
• 21:57 – United: spending spree, Amorim’s prospects, squad puzzle
• 32:09 – Newcastle: ownership woes, Isak drama, transfer headaches
• 39:13 – Forest: European challenge, squad churn
• 46:32 – Sunderland: hope, signings, survival odds
• 51:42 – Spurs: Thomas Frank era, fan patience tested
• 56:09 – West Ham: misery summer, relegation worries
• 59:35 – Wolves: manager bounce, regression threat
• 61:37 – Panel’s final top 7 and bottom 3 predictions

Tone and Style

Throughout, the debate is lively, opinionated, and full of the trademark Football Weekly humour—mixing cynicism, optimism, local rivalries, and light-hearted detours into fandom and football culture. The panel’s camaraderie and regional allegiances colour their insights and predictions, making for a sharp, entertaining, and deeply informed season preview.